How much do you know about HIV?
Take Our Quiz and Find Out!
The Center's Work on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Rights
In the two decades since the identification of HIV/AIDS, AIDS-related illnesses have taken the lives of over 20 million people and orphaned some 15 million children. Every minute 10 people are infected with HIV. Every day, AIDS claims more than 13,000 lives.
Of the 42 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, women and young people, particularly adolescent girls, are the fastest growing infected groups. Half of all people living with HIV/AIDS are women and young adults, 15 to 24 years old, constitute half of new infections. In sub-Saharan Africa almost 5 million more women than men carry the virus. In some regions, the large number of infected women and girls have resulted in dramatic increases in the rates of infant infection.
Women's Infection Rate as Percentage of Total HIV/AIDS Cases in Every Region
Source: UNAIDS & WHO, AIDS epidemic update (2002)
Biological susceptibility, combined with a lower economic, social and political status contributes to women’s and adolescents’ increased vulnerability to infection. In most regions of the world, HIV transmission occurs predominantly through sexual relations. Lingering social and cultural gender inequalities impact women and girls’ ability to negotiate safe sex or make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive choices. Adding to women and girls’ vulnerability is the persistence of violence against them, including harmful traditional practices, abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and trafficking.
Access to sex education, prevention programs, treatment and care, complemented by the overall empowerment of women and girls are critical steps governments and international agencies must take to prevent, contain and manage the pandemic.
International Sexual and Reproductive Rights Coalition Factsheet:
Articles and Briefing Papers:
Books and Reports:
Abortion
Our acclaimed Women of the World reports detail local laws, policies and quality of life statistics, including HIV/AIDS, as they relate to women's reproductive health and rights. These reports are a powerful resource for those interested in advancing and protecting women's reproductive health and rights through legal advocacy and establishing state accountability for violations of reproductive rights.
To order copies of the Women of the Women of the World series visit our